Bogor. Pupuk Indonesia’s "Kartini Tani" program marked a milestone for organic farming in Bogor, celebrating a high-yield organic rice harvest that reached 9 tons per hectare—a 34 percent increase over previous yields.

The initiative, launched to empower women in agriculture and boost food self-sufficiency, was celebrated on Oct. 30 at the Mulyaharja Organic Agro-Educational Land in South Bogor, West Java.

"The Kartini Tani program demonstrates how women can play a key role in improving livelihoods through agriculture. Through this empowerment program, women’s groups in Mulyaharja are encouraged to expand sustainable farming practices," said Tri Wahyudi Saleh, Marketing Director of state-owned fertilizer company Pupuk Indonesia.

According to Tri Wahyudi, the program aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's ambition to achieve food self-sufficiency.

Kartini Tani supports the Women Farmers Group (KWT) Ciharashas, offering training and resources for organic farming, hydroponics, and horticulture. Participants receive cultivation assistance, fertilization advice, and marketing guidance, along with post-harvest support and organic rice certification to boost their competitive edge.

"We’re also helping extend organic rice certification to add value and improve market competitiveness, especially as demand grows for organic products in line with healthier lifestyles," Tri Wahyudi added.

He said that Pupuk Indonesia has developed an ecosystem of organic and biological products to support sustainable agriculture, essential for long-term agricultural health. In Mulyaharja, the company uses NPK Phonska Alam fertilizer, made from natural minerals suitable for organic farming.

"Pupuk Indonesia, alongside PIKA (Association of Pupuk Indonesia Employees' Wives), supports the Kartini Tani initiative. We encourage them to showcase the quality of NPK Phonska Alam. We hope this inspires other organic farmers across Indonesia," he said.

Tata Rahmad Pribadi, Chairperson of PIKA Pupuk Indonesia, explained that the Kartini Tani program launched in Mulyaharja on Feb. 3, 2024, has delivered training on plant cultivation, harvest management, and organic fertilization for sustainable farming.

Nationally, Kartini Tani is active in five regions: Mulyaharja-Bogor, Indramayu, Banyuasin, Banyuwangi, and Magelang, tailored to meet each region’s needs, covering crops like dragon fruit, melon, and chili.

"Pupuk Indonesia is committed to supporting company programs through Kartini Tani Indonesia. In Mulyaharja, we focus on strengthening the role of Kartini Tani through organic agriculture development," Tata said.

He emphasized the importance of women in agriculture, who comprise 14.4% of Indonesia’s farmers. "Kartini Tani enables women to actively contribute to food security while enhancing community welfare. It supports women’s roles through initiatives in institutional development, agribusiness, skill-building, and digitalization of sustainable agriculture," he said.

Umyati, Chairperson of KWT Ciharashas, shared her gratitude for the program, noting the positive impact on her family’s quality of life. "We were housewives with limited knowledge, relying on traditional methods passed down from our parents. The Kartini Tani training taught us valuable pest control and packaging techniques," she shared.

Known as Uum, Umyati said that support from Pupuk Indonesia and PIKA has motivated her and the KWT Ciharashas members to advance agriculture in Bogor while balancing their roles at home.

"KWT members are not just housewives; they are champions of food security in Indonesia. With support from Pupuk Indonesia and PIKA, we are eager to develop agriculture," she concluded.